Hirsutism
June 1984
in “
PubMed
”
TLDR Hirsutism is excessive male-pattern hair growth in women, often treated cosmetically or with hormone therapy if contraception is also desired.
The 1984 study by B N Trost focused on hirsutism, a condition characterized by excessive male-pattern hair growth in women. The study emphasized the importance of differentiating hirsutism from hypertrichosis, a non-androgen-dependent condition that affects both sexes, and virilization, a disease. The study suggested that most cases of hirsutism could be considered an extreme variation of normal female hair growth, similar to baldness in men. While slightly elevated androgen levels were common in hirsutism, the study highlighted the importance of receptorial and postreceptorial processes in hair follicle cells. The primary goal of treatment was to exclude virilization and other primary diseases, which could usually be achieved through clinical examination and limited hormone measurements. Long-term treatment was primarily cosmetic unless contraception was also desired. In cases of mild hirsutism with a desire for contraception, a low-dose cyproterone acetate-estrogen combination was suggested. For severe forms, a higher dosage of cyproterone acetate was recommended.